There was a royal sage of the name Alarka endued with the austerest of penances.

Mbh.14.30.1185

Alarka said, My mind has become strong.

Mbh.14.30.1189

The mind said, These arrows, O Alarka, will never pierce me through.

Mbh.14.30.1193

Alarka said, Smelling very many perfumes, the nose hankers after them only.

Mbh.14.30.1195

The nose said, These arrows will never cross through me, O Alarka.

Mbh.14.30.1199

Alarka said, This one viz, the tongue, enjoying savoury tastes, hankers after them only.

Mbh.14.30.1201

The tongue said, These arrows, O Alarka, will not cross through me.

Mbh.14.30.1205

Alarka said, The skin, touching diverse objects of touch, hankers after them only.

Mbh.14.30.1207

The skin said, These arrows will not, O Alarka, cross through me.

Mbh.14.30.1211

Alarka said, Hearing diverse sounds, the ear hankers after them only.

Mbh.14.30.1213

The ear said, These arrows will not, O Alarka, cross through me.

Mbh.14.30.1217

Alarka said, Seeing many colours, the eye hankers after them only.

Mbh.14.30.1220

These arrows will not, O Alarka, cross through me at all.

Mbh.14.30.1224

Alarka said, This viz, the understanding forms many determinations with the aid of ratiocination.

Mbh.14.30.1226

The understanding said, These arrows will not, O Alarka, cross through me at all.

Mbh.14.30.1229

The Brahmana continued, Then Alarka, employing himself, even there, on penances difficult to perform and exceedingly austere, failed to obtain, by the high power of his penances arrows for casting at these seven.

Mbh.14.30.1231

Then O best of regenerate ones, Alarka, that foremost of intelligent men, having reflected for a long time, failed to obtain anything better than Yoga.

Jijith Nadumuri Ravi
Research data published for the interest of people researching on Mahabharata.
Suggestions are welcome: email:moc.liamg|rnhtijij#moc.liamg|rnhtijij